exceedingly sad. It has to do with tragic facts, and much of what it
has to say must excite compassion, and must appeal both to the
consciences of our readers and to their sense of duty. To call upon
those whom God has blessed, to insert themselves into the woes and
spiritual wants of others who need their help, is grave and serious.

This is one feature. There are others. The joy of the work and the joy
of the worker, which we are called to record, are a relief to the
stories of necessity, and are like beautiful pictures painted upon the
dark background. When "Our eyes have seen the glory of the coming of
the Lord," we can for the time forget the darkness upon which the
light shines, and sing our hallelujahs. If it is saddening to tell of
the night, it is cheering to mark the fact that the providences of God
are working out his promises, and are surely bringing in God's day.

Over and above the evils to which we must call earnest heed, the
dangers which are not far away, and the exigencies of the cause of
Christ, we are sure that no one can read the MISSIONARY without being
cheered and quickened in gratitude to God for what he is graciously
doing for his needy ones through his people.

* * * * *

With the serious duty on the part of those who are working together
with God for the salvation of men, there drift along in the current of
his providences certain incidents that are exceedingly droll.

As we have seen some very ludicrous manifestations of character and
conduct in the terrible struggles of a battlefield, and have brushed
aside our tears at times for an irrepressible _bon mot_ in a hospital,